NEW YORK -- A leading semiconductor analyst raised his 2014 outlook based on higher-than-expected April sales. Per the Semiconductor Industry Association, April's actual global sales were $25.6 billion slightly higher than the forecast of $24.86 billion.

VELIKO TURNOVO, BULGARIA -- AQ Group has signed an agreement with Zlaten Lev Holding to buy 94.6% of Bulgarian ODM Carat Electronics. The all-cash deal is valued at €1.58 million and will close July 1, the companies said.

TAIPEI -- Foxconn Electronics' (Hon Hai) consolidated revenues fell 9% sequentially and 10.8% year-over-year in May, the company said. For the month, revenue totalted NT$267.97 billion ($8.89 billion) as demand lagged for PCs and consumer electronics.

MINNEAPOLIS -- The head of Cisco's supply chain operations will keynote this fall's SMTAI conference. Jeff Gallinat, senior vice president of Cisco Supply Chain Operations, will share the importance of an Internet of Everything approach that delivers more value to companies than just the Internet of Things.

WASHINGTON, DC – Members of IPC are calling on Congress to pass a new bill calling for the establishment a National Network for Manufacturing Innovation (NNMI).

SAN JOSE — Worldwide semiconductor equipment bookings were $9.89 billion in the first quarter, up 27% from a year ago and down 5% sequentially. 

AUSTIN, TX -- 3M Electronics Materials launched a new copper-polyimide substrate designed to hold LED chips without adhesive.

ATLANTA, GA – CIRCUITS ASSEMBLY today revealed its annual Top 50 list of the 50 largest electronics manufacturing services providers.

ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA – Samsung Electronics' East Africabusiness unit inaugurated the electronics giant's first printer assembly plant in Africa.

WASHINGTON — Worldwide semiconductors sales rose 11.5% year-over-year in April, the Semiconductor Industry Association reported. The 90-day moving average sales were up 0.7% over the revised March numbers to $26.34 billion, the trade group added.

HARTFORD, CT -- A Massachusetts man pleaded guilty this week in US District Court to importing thousands of counterfeit ICs from China and Hong Kong and then reselling them to U.S. customers, including contractors supplying them to the US Navy for use in nuclear submarines.

BANNOCKBURN, IL — Total North American printed circuit board shipments increased 1.6% year-over-year in April. Year-to-date shipments were down 0.2%.